Porter faces grassroots backlash in Pearce

Former West Australian treasurer and attorney-general
Christian Porter
is no certainty to win preselection for a safe federal seat, senior Liberal sources say.

Mr Porter, who stepped down from his state portfolio on Tuesday to contest the preselection for the safe Liberal seat of Pearce, will face off against 24-year-old lawyer Alex Butterworth, who has strong grassroots support.

“If Christian doesn’t win locally, it’s not guaranteed he’ll get through state council," the source said.

“The first question they will ask is ‘are you going to live and take an interest in the electorate or are we a playground for your federal ambitions?’."

Local party members of the Pearce division, a large rural and urban seat to the east and north of Perth, will vote on July 15.

But their recommendation still needs to be backed by the state council.

Other sources close to the seat said Mr Porter’s sudden announcement had incensed local party members and increased support for Mr Butterworth.

“The grassroots members are there on shitty hot days and when it’s pissing down with rain," one source said. “Their one day in the sun is when they get to pick a candidate."